Flocculating reagent

Abstract

Cost effective and environmentally acceptable reagents and a method for flocculating fine particles from liquid suspensions are provided. A method for selectively flocculating fine particles from a slurry is also provided. The reagents comprise orange peel extract, corn husk extract and mixtures thereof. The method generally comprises the step of adding a reagent to a suspension of fine particles, mixing the combination of reagent and suspension and allowing the flocculated fine particles to settle out of suspension.

I claim: 
     
       1. A flocculating reagent which comprises an extract selected from the group consisting of: (a) orange peel extract,   (b) corn husk extract, and   (c) a mixture of orange peel extract and corn husk extract.   
     
     
       2. A flocculating reagent which comprises an orange peel extract. 
     
     
       3. A flocculating reagent which comprises a corn husk extract. 
     
     
       4. A flocculating reagent which comprises a mixture of orange peel extract and corn husk extract. 
     
     
       5. A flocculating reagent produced by the process consisting of the steps of: (a) mixing orange peels or corn husks with a solvent, and   (b) heating the said mixture to produce an extract from said orange peel or said corn husks in said solvent.   
     
     
       6. The flocculating reagent of claim 5 wherein said mixture is heated to the boiling point of said mixture. 
     
     
       7. The flocculating reagent of claim 5 wherein said mixture is heated to a temperature of about 75° C. to about 95° C., and at a pressure of about 0.3 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to about 0.9 psig. 
     
     
       8. The flocculating reagent of claim 7 wherein said mixture is heated for about 20 minutes to about 180 minutes. 
     
     
       9. The flocculating reagent of claim 5 wherein said solvent comprises water. 
     
     
       10. A flocculating reagent produced by the process comprising the steps of: (a) admixing about 2 parts of orange peel or corn husks with about 20 parts water by weight,   (b) heating said mixture to a temperature of about 85° C. at a pressure of about 0.5 pounds per square inch gauge,   (c) allowing said mixture to simmer at said temperature for about thirty minutes,   (d) pressing said orange peels or corn husks, and   (e) separating said orange peels or corn husks from said water.